Tube connector with a latching component to secure a receptacle to a plug

ABSTRACT

A connector for connecting a tube within a receptacle. A latching component fits within the receptacle, and receives a plug member to which the tube is connected. One end of receptacle is adapted, for instance, to be attached to a tube on a motor drive unit of a breast pump assembly, or formed integrally therewith. The opposite end of receptacle receives components of the connector therein. The plug member is inserted into the latching component and has means thereon that engage corresponding means on the latching component such that the plug member is releasably secured within the latching component in a rotatable manner.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/581,210, filed Oct. 13, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,201, entitled“Tube Connector with Three Part Construction and Latching Component,”the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tubing connectors, and moreparticularly in one aspect to a breast pump assembly including animproved connector for air tubing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Breast pumps are well known, and generally comprise a hood or shieldthat fits over the breast, a vacuum pump connected to the hood forgenerating an intermittent vacuum (or negative pressure) within thebreastshield, and a receptacle for expressed milk. Negative pressure ispressure below atmospheric pressure; positive pressure has alsosometimes been used in breast pumps. Typically, the intermittent suctionaction of the vacuum pump serves to pull on the breast and nipple andthereby express milk. The milk flows from the hood, through a conduitstructure and into a collection container, such as a baby bottle, forstorage and later use.

Breast pumps can be manually or electrically operated. In manuallyoperated breast pump assemblies, the intermittent vacuum is typicallygenerated by means of a piston-type or other hand drivable pump thatattaches directly to the breast pump assembly. The intermittent pressure(e.g., vacuum) in motor-driven breast pump assemblies is typicallyderived from a motor drive unit that is separate from the breastshieldand breast pump assembly. The vacuum is accordingly transmitted to thebreastpump assembly through plastic tubing. The plastic tubing is oftenattached to one or both of the motorized pump and/or the breast pumpassembly by use of a connector.

Because of the transfer of air throughout the breast pump assembly, theconnector provides an airtight seal. Additionally, the user should beable to easily manipulate the connector in order to hook up thecomponents and disconnect them repeatedly. Prior art connectors haveused raw tubing inserted over a protruding stem, or a pair of taperedcylindrical male and female surfaces to provide the connection and seal.These methods really do not give the user any “positive feedback” thatthe connection has been made, and sometimes require significant effortto make or break the connection. Another issue with some of these priorart connectors is that they can lead to the tubing bending and evenkinking at the connection point if the user strains the tubing throughmovement during pumping.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a connector that provides positivefeedback to the user that the connection is made, allows for ease ofconnection, and that allows for some way to better avoid kinking of thetubing. The present invention satisfies this demand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a tubing connector thatgives positive feedback to a user that a solid connection has been made.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tubing connectorfor connecting two tubular objects, for instance, that allows for themaking or breaking of a connection without significant effort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a tubingconnector that allows rotation of the connection to avoid kinking.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a tubing connector forconnecting two tubular objects such as a tube end that fits in a port(or socket or well). The tubing connector has a receptacle (the port,socket or well) sized and shaped to receive a plug member (on the tubeend) therein. The receptacle has an annular groove on its interiorsurface. The plug member is secured within the receptacle by a latchingcomponent, which in one form is a sleeve that fits in the receptaclewith a part that is received in the receptacle annular groove to jointhe latching component and the receptacle, and fits around the plugmember when the latter is pushed within the latching component withinthe receptacle. The latching component has at least one resilient ribextending into the receptacle interior. The plug member has an annulargroove therein that engages with the rib on the latching component tosecure the plug member within the latching component in a rotatablemanner.

In the foregoing embodiment, the latching component is initiallyseparate from the receptacle, and is first placed on the plug thenreceived within the receptacle; this provides a “retrofit” arrangement.In the alternative, the latching component could be made integral withthe receptacle, or previously assembled therein, so that all one needsto do is insert the plug.

In another embodiment, the interengaging members are reversed, such thatthere is a circumferential ridge on the plug's exterior surface thatengages an annular groove on the interior surface of the receptacle, oron the latching component secured within the receptacle.

Yet another objective for the invention is to better assure that onlycertain components can be connected together, such as only particulartypes of breast pumps being connected to a particular pressure source.Breast pump assemblies can come in many shapes and sizes. The amount ofvolume within these pump assemblies can vary greatly insofar as “dead”volume is concerned, i.e., the air that must be initially moved by thevacuum source. There is often concern that the proper breast pumpassembly for a given pressure source be used, since the two may bespecifically designed for use together, and some other breast pumpassembly not so adapted may present undesirable issues.

These, together with other objects and advantages will be furtherunderstood in the details of the construction and operation of theinvention as more fully hereinafter described, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, wherein like numeralsrefer to like parts throughout, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a tubeconnector according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle portion of the tubeconnector of FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the plug member of the tube connector ofFIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latching component of the tubeconnector of FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the tube connector ofFIG. 1 according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the tube connector of FIG. 1 and a motordrive unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view of the tube connector of FIG. 1 anda motor drive unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an assembled sectional view of the tube connector of FIG. 1and a motor drive unit according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment of atube connector according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded sectional view of the alternate embodiment of thetube connector of FIG. 9 according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the latch portion of the alternateembodiment of the tube connector of FIG. 9 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective sectional view of the receptacle of thealternate embodiment of the tube connector of FIG. 9 according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the plug member of the alternateembodiment of the tube connector of FIG. 9 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is an assembled sectional view of the alternate embodiment ofthe tube connector of FIG. 9 according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an exploded sectional view of yet another alternateembodiment of a tube connector according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective sectional view of the receptacle of analternate embodiment of the tube connector of FIG. 15 according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a latch portion of an alternateembodiment of the tube connector of FIG. 15 according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 is an assembled sectional view of the alternate embodiment ofthe tube connector of FIG. 15 according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective sectional view of an alternate embodiment of atube connector according to the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is an assembled sectional view of the alternate embodiment ofthe tube connector of FIG. 19 according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The tubing connector of the present invention will be described hereinin use in a breast pump assembly, but it is contemplated that the tubingconnector of the present invention can be used in any device that maybenefit from this type of connector.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a tubing connector100 according to the present invention. The tubing connector 100includes a receptacle 102, a sealing ring 104, a latching component 106and a plug member 108. As shown in FIG. 2, receptacle 102 has anexterior surface 110, a first interior surface 112 and a second interiorsurface 114, the first and second interior surfaces 112, 114 define abore 116 therethrough.

It will be understood and seen herein, that the receptacle 102 is notnecessarily a separate piece as depicted, but is more typically madeintegral with something within which the plug 108 is to connect.Receptacle 102 may therefore be a piece that is assembled to, forexample, a motor drive as shown hereafter, or could be formed integraltherewith. “Receptacle” is therefore used to generally also refer to awell, socket, orifice and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2, an axis A extends into bore 116. Bore 116 has afirst portion 118 defined by first interior surface 112 and a secondportion 120 defined by second interior surface 114. First portion 118has a first diameter D1 and second portion 120 has a second diameter D2.The first interior surface 112 further includes a circumferential grooveor channel 122. Receptacle 102 includes two ends 119, 121. The first end119 of receptacle 102 is adapted, for instance, to be connected to amotor drive unit of a breast pump assembly, or formed integrallytherewith, as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The second end 121 of receptacle 102receives other components of a tube connector therein, as will bedescribed in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 3, plug member 108 has a base 124 and a stem 126. Thebase 124 is adapted to be attached to a tube (not shown) via a nipple127. The stem 126 extends axially from the opposite end of the base 124.A passageway 125 extends through the plug member 108 between the base124 and the stem 126 for conveying fluid/air. The stem 126 has acircumferential groove or channel 128 therein, and is adapted to bereceived within the latching component 106 (see FIG. 4). Latchingcomponent is preferably formed of an elastomeric material allowingdeflection for securing parts of the tubing connector and providing aseal therebetween.

The latching component 106 of FIG. 4 is in the form of a sleeve sizedand shaped to receive the stem 126 of plug member 108 therein, and inturn to be received in the first portion 118 of bore 116 of receptacle102. Latching component 106 includes an interior surface 109 andexterior surface 107, exterior surface 107 having a circumferentialridge 132 thereon; here, one ridge 132 does not go completely around thecircumference. Latching component 106 further includes two resilienttabs 134 spaced diametrically opposite one another, although any numberof tabs is contemplated. The tabs 134 are connected (e.g., madeintegral) at one end 113 to the latch component 106 in a hinge-likearrangement. The free end 111 of each resilient tab 134 has a rib 136(FIG. 5) extending past the inside surface 109 and slightly within theinterior of the latching component 106. The ridge 132, which is apartial ring, engages with the groove 122 of the first interior surface112 of the receptacle 102 when the latching component 106 is insertedinto the first portion 118 through bore 116 of receptacle 102. The rib136 is arranged to resiliently engage with circumferential channel 128on stem 126 of plug member 108 when inserting plug member 108 intolatching component 106.

One manner of assembly of the receptacle 102, sealing ring 104, latchingcomponent 106 and plug member 108 is shown in FIG. 5. Sealing ring 104is inserted axially into the first portion 118 of bore 116 of thereceptacle 102. The sealing ring 104 has an outer diameter D1 that fitswithin first portion 118 of bore 116, and greater than D2 of secondportion 120 of bore 116 such that sealing ring 104 abuts the secondportion 120 of bore 116. The latching component 106 is then insertedinto the first portion 118 of bore 116 abutting sealing ring 104 formingan airtight seal, and circumferential ridge 132 engages with the groove122 of the first interior surface 112 of the receptacle 102. Thelatching component 106 is secured within receptacle 102 in a manner suchthat the latching component 106 does not move axially within receptacle102, although it is contemplated that the latching component 106 andreceptacle 102 could have a rotatable engagement. The stem 126 of theplug member 108 is inserted into latching component 106. The ribs 136 ontabs 134 resiliently engage with the circumferential channel 128 on stem126 which secures the plug member 108 within latching component 106 andthus within receptacle 102. The engagement between ribs 136 and thecircumferential channel 128 is such that the plug member 108 can rotategenerally freely within the latching component 106. Latching componentis preferably formed of a plastic material.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, receptacle 102 can be formed integrally with themotor drive unit of a breast pump assembly. Assembly of the tubeconnector 100 in this embodiment is similar to that described above.Sealing ring 104 is inserted axially into the first portion 118 of bore116 of the receptacle 102 such that sealing ring 104 abuts the secondportion 120 of bore 116. The latching component 106 is inserted aspreviously described with circumferential ridge 132 engaging with thegroove 122, securing the latching component 106 within receptacle 102.Plug member 108 can then be releasably inserted into latching component106, with tabs 134 resiliently engaging with the circumferential channel128 on stem 126, to secure the plug member 108 within latching component106 and thus within receptacle 102.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a tubing connector200 according to the present invention. This second embodiment tubingconnector 200 includes a receptacle 202, a latching component 206 and aplug member 208.

As shown in FIG. 10, this receptacle 202 has an exterior surface 210 andan interior surface 212, interior surface 212 defining a bore 216therethrough. An axis B is defined extending into bore 216. The interiorsurface 212 has a ring or protrusion 222 thereon around its entirecircumference. Receptacle 202 includes two ends 219, 221. The first end219 of receptacle 202 is adapted, for instance, to be connected to amotor drive unit of a breast pump assembly, or formed integrallytherewith. The second end 221 of receptacle 202 receives othercomponents of tube connector 200 therein as will be described in detail.

Also shown in FIG. 10, plug member 208 is adapted at one end 224 to beattached to a tube (not shown). The tube could then be formed integraltherewith, or otherwise connected to passageway 225. A stubby stem 226extends axially from the opposite end of base 224. Passageway 225extends through the plug member 208 between the end 224 and the stem end226 for conveying fluid/air. The stem 226 has a circumferential grooveor channel 228 therein adapted to be received within the latchingcomponent 206.

Referring to FIG. 11, this latching component 206 is likewise in theform of a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the stem 226 of plug member208 therein, and to be received in the bore 216 in this type ofreceptacle 202. Modified latching component 206 includes an interiorsurface 209 and exterior surface 207. Exterior surface 207 has acircumferential groove or channel 232 thereon that engages with the ring222 on the interior surface 212 of the receptacle 202 (FIG. 12) when thelatching component 206 is inserted into the bore 216 in receptacle 202.Latching component 206 further includes a rib or ridge 234 on itsinterior 209 sized and shaped to match (FIG. 13) the circumferentialgroove 228 of stem 226 of plug member 208, such that when plug member208 is inserted into latching component 206, rib 234 engagescircumferential groove 228, which rotatably secures plug member 208within latching component 206.

This is shown in FIG. 14, where latching component 206 is insertedaxially into the bore 216, and groove 232 engages with the protrusion222 on the interior surface 212 of the receptacle 202 which secures thelatching component 206 within receptacle 202.

The stern 226 of the plug member 208 is inserted into latching component206 and the rib 234 engages with the circumferential groove 228 on stem226 which secures the plug member 208 within latching component 206 andthus within receptacle 202. The engagement between the rib 234 and thecircumferential groove 228 is such that the plug member 208 can rotatefreely within the latching component 206. Latching component ispreferably formed of an elastomeric material allowing deflection forsecuring parts of the tubing connector and providing a sealtherebetween.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a tubing connector300 according to the present invention. This third embodiment tubingconnector 300 includes a receptacle 302, a latching component 306 and aplug member 308. As shown in FIG. 16, receptacle 302 has an exteriorsurface 310 and an interior surface 312, interior surface 312 defining abore 316 therethrough. An axis C is defined extending into bore 316. Theinterior surface 312 has a circumferential lip 322 thereon around itsentire circumference. Receptacle 302 includes two ends 319, 321. Thefirst end 319 of receptacle 302 is adapted, for instance, to beconnected to a motor drive unit of a breast pump assembly, or formedintegrally therewith. The second end 321 of receptacle 302 receivesother components of tube connector 300 therein as will be described indetail.

Turning to FIG. 17, latching component 306 includes an interior surface309 and a circumferential groove or channel 332 on the outboard side.Groove 332 is annular in form, being located beneath an overlying lip333. Latching component 306 further includes a shoulder 334 on itsinterior 309 sized and shaped to match the circumferential groove 328(FIG. 15) in stem 326 of plug member 308 such that when plug member 308is inserted into latching component 306 (FIG. 18), shoulder 334 engagescircumferential groove 328, which secures plug member 308 withinlatching component 306.

As further shown in FIG. 18, plug member 308 has an end 324 adapted tobe attached to a tube (not shown) in any number of well known ways. Astem 326 (FIG. 15) extends axially from the opposite end of the plugmember 308. A passageway 325 extends through the plug member 308 betweenthe base 324 and the stem 326 for conveying fluid/air.

Latching component 306 is sized and shaped to receive the stem 326 ofplug member 308 therein, and to be received in the bore 316 inreceptacle 302. The groove 332 of latching component 306 engages withthe lip 322 along the interior surface 312 of the receptacle 302, withlip 333 thereby snapping into place within a channel 335 formed betweenthe lip 322 and adjacent sidewall of the receptacle 302 when thelatching component 306 is inserted into the bore 316 in receptacle 302.This is a snap-fit between the receptacle 302 and latching component306, and these elements are so sized to thus engage.

In one manner of assembly, latching component 306 is inserted axiallyinto the bore 316, and groove 332 engages with the lip 322 on theinterior surface 312 of the receptacle 302 which secures the latchingcomponent 306 within receptacle 302. The stem 326 of the plug member 308is inserted into the combined latching component 306 and receptacle 302,and the shoulder 334 engages with the circumferential groove 328 on stem326, thus securing the plug member 308 within latching component 306 andwithin receptacle 302. The engagement between the shoulder 334 and thecircumferential groove 328 is such that the plug member 308 can rotatefreely within the latching component 306. Latching component ispreferably formed of an elastomeric material allowing deflection forsecuring parts of the tubing connector and providing a sealtherebetween.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.19-20. As shown in FIG. 19, receptacle 402 has an exterior surface 410,and an interior surface 412. The interior surface 412 defines a bore 416therethrough. An axis D extends into bore 416. A circumferential groove422 is formed around the interior surface 412. Receptacle 402 includestwo ends 419, 421. The first end 419 of receptacle 402 is adapted, forinstance, to be connected to a motor drive unit of a breast pumpassembly, or formed integrally therewith. The second end 421 ofreceptacle 402 receives other components of yet another tube connectortherein, as will be described in detail below.

The plug member 408 has an end 424 and a stem 426. The end 424 isadapted to be attached to a tube (not shown) in any of many known ways.The stem 426 extends axially from the opposite end of the base 424. Apassageway 425 extends through the plug member 408 between the end 424and the stem 426 for conveying fluid/air.

As further shown in FIG. 20, sealing member 404 is sized to fit in thecircumferential groove 422 of the interior surface 412 of the receptacle402. This seal member 404 engages the circumferential groove 428 of theplug member 408 when plug member 408 is inserted into the bore 416 ofthe receptacle 402 thereby forming an air-tight seal, acting to retainthe plug member 408 within the receptacle 402 by resisting removalforces, and also allowing the plug member 408 to rotate freely withinthe receptacle 402. It will be understood that the receptacle 402 couldbe integral with a housing and further include a shoulder surface on theinterior 412, similar to embodiments previously described, forengagement with a plug member. Furthermore, a component retained withinthe bore, or a surface integral with the receptacle, could define andfunction as a sealing member. There are many contemplated embodimentsthat serve to simplify fabrication and assembly.

It is understood that all shapes and sizes, configurations of the tubeconnector are contemplated by the invention and are considered variousembodiments thereof.

It is seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparentfrom the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, sincecertain changes may be made in the above constructions without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense. It is also to be understood that the following claims areintended to cover all of the generic and specific features of theinvention herein described and all statements of the scope of theinvention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

While the apparatus and method herein disclosed forms a preferredembodiment of this invention, this invention is not limited to thatspecific apparatus and method, and changes can be made therein withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention, which is defined in theappended claims.

1. A tubing connector, comprising: an elongated plug having an exterior,a forward end and a channel formed therethrough, a receptacle withinwhich said plug forward end is receivable, said receptacle having a boreformed therein with an interior surface defined within said bore, afirst engagement member formed on and within said receptacle bore, asecond engagement member formed on said plug exterior, a latchingcomponent being sized and shaped to be assembled within said receptacle,said latching component having an exterior wall and a throughboredefined within said latching component which axially aligns with saidreceptacle bore when assembled, a third engagement member formed on saidexterior wall of said latching component, said third engagement membersized and shaped to mate with said first engagement member, and a fourthengagement member formed on said latching component, said fourthengagement member sized and shaped to mate with said second engagementmember, said fourth engagement member and said second engagement membermating when said plug forward end is received within said latchingcomponent, said first engagement member and said third engagement membermating in releasable engagement when said latching component is receivedwithin said receptacle bore with said members aligned.
 2. The tubingconnector of claim 1 wherein said first engagement member is acircumferential ring and said second engagement member is acircumferential channel.
 3. The tubing connector of claim 2 wherein saidcircumferential channel is formed on said plug exterior, and saidcircumferential ring is formed on said receptacle bore.
 4. The tubingconnector of claim 3 wherein said first and said second engagementmembers engage in a substantially fluid tight fit with said latchingcomponent.
 5. The tubing connector of claim 3 wherein said first andsecond engagement members engage with said latching component in amanner that leaves them rotatable relative to one another.
 6. The tubingconnector of claim 1 wherein said first and second engagement membersand said third and fourth engagement members engage to provide asubstantially fluid tight fit between said plug and receptacle.
 7. Thetubing connector of claim 6 wherein said first and second engagementmembers engage in a manner that leaves the latching component and plugrotatable relative to one another.
 8. The tubing connector of claim 1wherein said latching component is not removable in normal use of saidconnector after assembly with said receptacle.
 9. The tubing connectorof claim 2 wherein said engagement is a snap fit.
 10. A tubingconnector, comprising: an elongated plug having an exterior, a forwardend and a channel formed therethrough, a receptacle, said receptaclehaving a bore formed therein with a first interior surface and alatching component, said latching component adapted to be assembledwithin said bore of said receptacle when inserted therein, said latchingcomponent having an exterior wall and a throughbore defined within saidlatching component which axially aligns with said receptacle bore whenassembled, a first engagement member formed within said latchingcomponent on said throughbore, a second engagement member formed on saidplug exterior, said first and second engagement members mating inreleasable engagement when said plug forward end is received within saidlatching component with said members aligned therein, a third engagementmember formed on said first interior surface of said receptacle, afourth engagement member formed on said exterior wall of said latchingcomponent, said third and fourth engagement members mating when saidlatching component is received within said receptacle with said thirdand fourth engagement members aligned therein.
 11. The tubing connectorof claim 10 wherein said second engagement member is a circumferentialchannel.
 12. The tubing connector of claim 11 wherein said first andsaid second engagement members and said third and said fourth engagementmembers respectively engage to provide a substantially fluid tight fitbetween said plug and receptacle.
 13. The tubing connector of claim 12wherein said third and said fourth engagement members engage in a mannerthat leaves the latching component and plug rotatable relative to oneanother.
 14. The tubing connector of claim 10 wherein said firstengagement member is formed on at least one tab and said engagementmember is a circumferential channel.
 15. The tubing connector of claim14 wherein said circumferential channel is formed on said plug exterior,and said at least one tab is formed on said latching component.
 16. Thetubing connector of claim 15 wherein there is a pair of opposed tabs.17. The tubing connector of claim 16 wherein said latching component isnot removable in normal use of said connector after assembly with saidreceptacle.